Can eating specific foods get that mojo going? I’m a skeptic about this theory, but curiosity got the best of me so I decided to investigate. Because hey, I’ll admit, there are times we could all use some inspiration to get in the mood and get it on. And what better way than ...read more

Diet, schmiet. Ditch your strict eating regimen and give your metabolism a boost by eating. Yes, eating. Just by consuming certain metabolism-boosting foods and drinks, you can give your body a kick-start in calorie burning, and speed up that seemingly slow metabolism of yours. ...read more

Alas, just when you think you've cracked the code, there is more to healthy eating than simply choosing to consume nutrient-dense foods. Now, there is a science to pairing certain foods together to increase their effectiveness. What's the use of a so-called "healthy" food if ...read more

What’s cooling, refreshing, just a bit spicy, and sadly has become synonymous with just toothpaste and chewing gum? If you guessed peppermint, you’re right on the money. But why, you wonder, is it unfortunate that peppermint is associated with mouth care? Because it’s such a gem ...read more

We’re in the glorious thick of spring now—green, budding, delicate spring—and there are not only fruits and vegetables to match the flavors, colors, and cycles of these days, but specific pastas to match, too! Italy has blessed the world with a number of diverse and delicious ...read more

You know the names, but do you know their origins and how hot they really are compared to the others? Peppers come in many shapes, sizes, flavors, and heat levels, but many of us stick to a few select peppers and do little to explore the many opportunities. The following 7 ...read more

Chia seeds are all the buzz these days. They first entered our lives as chia pets and later emerged as the next-best superfood. They are relatively neutral in taste and complement breakfast well with a scant sprinkle over yogurt or in a cereal. However, their scope goes beyond ...read more

Nuts may be the kind of food that are best and most commonly eaten as they are, perhaps lightly roasted and salted, but did you know that they are far more diverse in form than meets the eye? Nuts have truly evolved in recent years in stride with the rise in health concerns and ...read more

Native to South India and Southeast Asia, the taro root has been part of diets as far back as 5,000 B.C. Today, it is a staple in Southeast Asia, Africa, India, China, the Caribbean and the Polynesian islands. In Hawaii, it is even the theme of an annual food festival. Taro root ...read more

Rice is the staple food group in much of the world, a starch used like bread in many meals and cuisines. But rice is getting a bad rap. As a refined carbohydrate with little of the actual grain left, white rice might as well be pure sugar - at least that's how your body processes ...read more

Available in many climates and easy to find locally, potatoes are versatile and delicious and the perfect staple this time of year... but did you know that not all potatoes should be treated alike? Different varieties of potatoes are good for different preparations, and there are ...read more

It may be the most popular ice cream flavor in Peru, but we Northern Americans have most likely never heard of this super delicious, super nutritious superfruit before, at all. Lucuma (LOO-KU-MA) has been enjoyed for thousands of years for its rich, sweet, maple-like flavor ...read more

We all sneak in that second (third… ahem… fourth) cookie this time of year. Hey, it’s the holidays. While we don’t recommend overindulging every day of the year, between out-of-control gift shopping, planning holiday meals and all of the other little stresses that the holidays ...read more

Even though pears (or pear trees at least) are immortalized in that classic holiday tune involving a partridge and a stream of nerve-wracking repetition, the actual pear is an often-overlooked fruit this time of year. We celebrate the bounty of fall with apples and pumpkins in ...read more

The winter season is upon us, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up fresh fruits for these next few months. In fact, several fruits actually come into season this time of year, and they are fresher and tastier now more than ever. Here are our five favorite holiday fruits at ...read more

Beans and legumes—those magical fruits—are tragically underutilized in the Standard American Diet. They aid in disease prevention, weight loss, energy boosting, and overall vitality. Best of all, they’re vegan and very cheap to buy, especially in bulk. Many people avoid buying ...read more

Hey, we're not saying we're not going to miss those summer squashes. Or even that we don't love the whole squash repertoire that comes with winter. But, kabocha - also known as Japanese pumpkin - is the undeniable, and oft overlooked, favorite this season. If you've encountered ...read more

Have you ever wondered what it is exactly about superfoods that makes them so incredibly, well, super? Me too. Luckily, my own brother, Gregory Manitsas, is a raw foods chef extraordinaire! He let me in on some of the kooky industry terms. You are just four key concepts away from ...read more

What a name puzzle! Sweet potato or yam? Are they one in the same? Nope. Despite the standard calls to “Pass the yams!” across the Thanksgiving dinner table, most vegetables labeled "yams" in the United States are actually orange-fleshed sweet potatoes—even though we use the ...read more

Pistachios sprinkled over cupcakes or pistachio-flavored ice cream may make this nut the trendy dessert ingredient of the moment, but the little, colorful and uniquely tasty pistachio has a larger place at the table than merely fodder for interesting dessert. Nutrient dense and ...read more

Mushrooms are good eats year round, but they're an especially healthful choice as the weather cools and we spend less time out in the sun photosynthesizing the necessary nutrient, vitamin D. One of the only vegan sources of vitamin D, mushrooms are also a good source of protein ...read more

I don't know about you guys, but I like to root for the underdog. The underdog is typically quirky, and has a unique look and personality. A real one of a kind. Heirloom (also called heritage or antique) apple varieties are the black sheep of the apple world. The fruits have ...read more

What are those voluptuously round, green spheres dangling from the large-leafed trees along the streets of Los Angeles? They look like fresh figs, but are they? If the round, green spheres you’re seeing at this time of year are the same ones I’m seeing (and I bet that they are), ...read more

Few things on this earth are more delicious than homemade ice cream with fresh berries -- but sadly, eating high-fat ice cream every day is not nutritionist-recommended. This recipe, adapted from Earthbound Farm's incredible Food To Live By, replaces the cream with yogurt for an ...read more